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I have a confession to make… I am not proud of this. I have kept it to myself for many, many years. This part of my life caused my mother a lot of frustration for a good part of her life. It’s one of those things that I used to think that, if I had just one wish, I would go back in time and do it all over again. This is part of my life that I haven’t really spoken about.

Ready for it? I was horrible at school. All of it. Elementary, high school and post... Read More

Well it’s 10pm on Monday June 16th, 2008. I have done it. In two hours my 22 day challenge will be done. I have really changed part of the core of my being, of who I am and how act and react to people and situations. I am proud of myself and that’s ok. To often we don’t pat ourselves on the back. We don’t high five each other enough. It’s almost as if the thought of simply being excited for something you have done is a bad thing, you are considered to be... Read More

Sitting at the lake today, looking at a crowded beach front. Sandcastles being built, kayaks scooting about, people relaxing in the sun on a Muskoka chair. I am happy. My dream was right there in front of me. Something I had considered a whimsical thought once was so very real. I remember the first spring so many years (5) ago, only 8 school groups maybe 300 students. Now 2008, we will have close to 2000 students and over 30 schools. We are still growing.

Stayed at my mom’s last night. There is a certain comfort when you arrive back at the home that you grew up in. I recognized the smell and the feel. My mom has made many, many changes to the house, but in the end it’s still “home”.

As part of the 22 day challenge (let’s hear it for day 16!), I run for six days and have one day of recovery. So this morning I had to run, but this would be another challenge for me because I have only run my run, my 5 km around our... Read More

Spending a wonderful weekend with my friend and mentor Robin Sharma. It’s the annual Awakening Best Self (ABS) weekend held at an amzing place called the Kingbridge Centre. One thing that I love is the entire idea of the weekend, to find out what we as human beings can be. To look at the child that we were and where we lost the spark for learning, loving, laughing and truly living.

Day 11, half way through the 22 day challenge. It really has been amazing. People have been asking me what is this 22 day challenge? It’s actually quite simple. The idea is to take the 15 areas of my life that I need to improve and commit to 22 days of non-stop work on them. No excuses, no days off.

Why 22 days? Simple, there is a common belief that it takes 21 days to form a habit. So to make it for 22 days is to engrain the habit a little more. You can do it too! Just... Read More

I write a lot. I am not the best writer and I usually have lots of mistakes. I am lucky though to have some trusty proof readers. You can tell when one of them has read my material and when one hasn’t been proofed. One of my favourite things to use is the “…”. I use it to signify a pause, a moment to think. When the reader should stop and consider the thought that has been written.

In life we rarely take time for the “…”. We live at a pace of such speed that we... Read More

I don’t remember learning to ride my bike. I am sure my dad or mom helped. I do remember my first real bike though. A purple chopper. One of my most vivid memories of being a child was my father taking me to get a new seat for it, one of the cool ones. Just like a real chopper motorcycle. I can see myself clipping my hockey cards on the spokes so that my bike would make that perfect sound, like I was really ridin’ a hog. Such a great memory.

So three days into the 22 day challenge and I couldn’t be in a better place. Really loving it. I can actually feel myself getting healthier and stronger. I can feel the blood in my veins speeding up with excitement! I have taken to meditating in the morning. If you would have told me three years ago I would be meditating, I would have told you that you were a little crazy! I love it though. I have been doing it off and on for the last year and half and really using it find piece, to... Read More

Remember when you were just a little tyke? Remember Christmas Eve? I do. I can, clear as day remember standing in the middle of the hall of my house. My brother and I pulling our pyjamas bottoms down low and our shirts to our knees so that it looked as if we had tiny short legs. We would laugh so hard, our bellies would actually hurt. I can see my mom standing tall arms on her hips, in almost a superman post. She had a firm voice but a loving smirk as well…

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We brought 40 students, mostly juniors, and the layout of the conference space and dorm space made our staff feel comfortable with supervision. The college also made it super easy for meals - everything was in the same complex. I HIGHLY recommend trying out this conference for those schools who haven’t yet. Top notch leadership experience!

~Bob Kline - Teacher - Huron Heights Secondary School, Kitchener, ON

Student Conferences

Thanks so much for an amazing conference. We’re already looking forward to EOSLC 2018!

~Riley McMullen - Tagwi Secondary School - Avonmore, ON

Student Conferences

I want to thank you for giving my students the opportunity to attend EOSLC!! On the drive home, they were discussing how wonderful the speakers were, and the spirit leaders, and the venue, and the whole experience!!!

I know they have taken with them new insight as to what it means to be a leader! I thank you for that! You must be so proud to have so much positive influence on the youth of tomorrow.

Thank you, thank you!!

~Jennifer Neville -VALOUR SCHOOL - Petawawa

Training Centres

We had such a great time! Your camp is aMazing. The students loved it, and did things they never thought they would have! The slide show at the end was the cherry on top!!!

~Amanda - Teacher - Huron Heights Secondary School

Stu Speaks

Students were very engaged, enthusiastic and excited. Stu is hilarious…seriously. “Humour is never a bad thing” said one student.

They say a great presenter “leaves them wanting more”. Well, we loved your presentation and the entire team asked me when you will be back! You are truly STUpendous!

~Nancy Klensch - Founder of Summit Kids

Stu Speaks

Stu is an energetic, entertaining and dynamic presenter. He captures is audiences’ attention and keeps the room engaged for the entire presentation! His stories in his presentation captures everyone at different points, even the teachers!

~Sara Meaney - Cobourg Collegiate Institute

Stu Speaks

Stu was great! Staff and students felt it really broke the anxiety in the building and we even got cupcakes today from one of the students.

~Carrie Rowlandson - William Aberhart High School, Calgary Alberta

Stu Speaks

Stu was fantastic. There is nothing better than seeing 600 adolescents laughing their heads off. He delivers a terrific message and has the entire audience engaged, thinking, listening and most importantly laughing within seconds, and he keeps it going for over an hour. Thanks again on behalf of the Shores!!

~Doug Woods - Vice Principal, Nantyr Shores Secondary School

Stu Speaks

Stu’s speech did exactly what I hoped it would do when I tried to bring him in: it brought the school together for a good laugh while empowering the student body to be the change they wish to see in their classroom. I feel he hit this goal perfectly.

~Steven Fotheringham - Oakville Trafalgar High School

Stu Speaks

I really liked how the speech really just seemed like Stu was telling us funny stories, but he always related it back to the overall message. It didn’t sound like a speech at all, it was as if he was just talking to the crowd. I would say that he is excellent in connecting with the audience and keeping them entertained. There was not a two minute period in Stu’s speech were nobody was laughing. He kept us amused throughout the entire presentation. I thought he was perfect.

~James Palloto

Stu Speaks

I would highly recommend Stu, his engaging personality was a real hook for the students and his messages were ones that many of them could identify with. The humour was great and the students shared that they enjoyed the presentation.

~Teresa Fowler - W.H. Croxford High School, Airdrie, Alberta

Stu Speaks

Stu is personable. Students are willing to listen to him. They enjoy listening to him. He has a message, but he is also entertaining. He is fun to listen to and students don’t feel talked down to or preached at.

~Tanya Lacey - McKinnon Park Secondary School, Caledonia, ON

Student Conferences

OSLC has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of our Student Activities Council leadership group over the 10 years we have been attending. The chance to get away together, bond as a group, meet other awesome leaders and advisors from across the province, and be challenged by some of the best speakers in the world has made a huge impact on the enthusiasm and effectiveness of our leadership program.”

“Just want to thank the Pigeon Lake YLCC staff for another wonderful experience. My Grade 7 class just returned from their overnight with smiles on their faces and singing ‘pizza man’. I have taken a group for a number of years now and I never tire of the experience. YOU rock!”

Youth Camps

“Thank you Stu and Ornj and the AMAZING counsellors and staff for making the past two weeks amazing for Noah. He sobbed when we left, and can’t wait to return. He showed me his journal and we compared it to last year’s - what a difference a year makes.”

Youth Camps

“Nothing makes my heart sing more, than to see my kids having the most amazing life experiences together. YLCC makes this happen every year. Pure Gold. ‘Thank You’ can’t really cover it …”

Youth Camps

“Thank you for the best summer I have experienced to date. YLCC taught me how to embrace my values and to express opinions. The entire camp and amazing staff believed in me achieving any goal I were to set. “

Student Conferences

OSLC to me is family, period.

~Hayley Press

Student Conferences

OSLC showed me through the people I met what it was to be a better leader by how you act and what you do.

~Ben Arnold

Student Conferences

OSLC is an experience where you can literally go and see 1000’s of other teens that have the same desire as you to lead and make a change in the world. The energy is electric, the movement is massive and the memories are completely unforgettable. The experience is one you fully cant understand without going there, there is an indescribable and irreplacable feeling that is created there, and it sticks even after you leave.

~Brittany Roney

Student Conferences

OSLC changed my life. I have never felt so alive in my entire life. I met so many people who I will be life long friends with. The energy is amazing and the inspiration is indescribable.
If there was one memory I could remember it would be OSLC.

~Maddison F

Student Conferences

I don’t even know how to begin or where to start telling you how amazing OSLC was and how amazing and incredible you are! This event was truly life changing for me and my council, thank you so much for this, for OSLC and for you. You are truly an inspiration and have shown me so much and have lit a fire inside me.

I have been bringing students to the Ontario Student Leadership Conference for over 10 years. Our students clamour for a spot at the conference because they have heard about it and want to be a part of it. They always come back from the conference excited and motivated to make positive changes in our school and community. The speakers are always world class and the workshops inspire and educate the students, I look forward to being part of this incredible conference for years to come, keep up the great work.

~Kyle Pope, Oakville Traflagar High School

Student Conferences

This conference consistently fosters, in the students who attend, a sense of community in leadership that I’ve yet to see generated to this degree anywhere else. Former students have told me, years later, that the OSLC was the highlight of their high school experience. I believe them.

~Ross Thomson, Craig Kielburger Secondary School, Milton, Ontario

Student Conferences

I have been attending OSLC a number of years with our Students’ Council Executive. There is no other opportunity that I am able to offer my students that leads to such enthusiasm and ideas for the school year. Many of my students have worked as Spirit Leaders at the conference, and more than once students have told me how OSLC has changed their life. On top of that, OSLC is one of the very few conferences that allow for PD for staff members who work in student leadership. More than once I have had my own commitment to student leadership refreshed through workshops at OSLC.

~Tanya Lacey, McKinnon Park Secondary School, Caledonia, Ontario

Stu Speaks

I was at the OCA conference on May 6th, and I just wanted to thank you on being such a wicked keynote… you definitely put me back in the camp mindset and reminded me of what’s truly important about the up-coming summer. Once again, a job very well done.

~Emily Summers

Stu Speaks

The students really enjoyed Stu’s humour and low-key but critical message about getting involved and getting the most out of their High School experience. I would recommend Stu as a speaker who relates well to students, is funny, and gets the message out without preaching.